Essential steps to buying a home
Whether you're a first-time buyer or it's been a while since you've purchased a home,
the prospect can be overwhelming. Here are some essential steps to help keep you on track.
Figure out what you can afford.
Your mortgage payment should fit comfortably with your lifestyle. Generally, your
mortgage payment should not exceed more than about 36% of your gross monthly income.
Apply for a mortgage preapproval. See Note 8
A preapproval helps determine how much you can afford and includes a review of your
credit score and credit history, income and assets, and it assesses your overall debt-to-income ratio. It may also
give your offer more credibility and speed up the closing process.
Find a reputable real estate agent.
A good real estate agent not only is knowledgeable but also proactively shares that
knowledge with you.
Start house hunting and make an offer.
Be sure to stay within your original price range and work closely with your real
estate agent before submitting an offer.
Schedule an inspection and get an insurance quote.
We recommend obtaining an objective, third-party evaluation of the home to identify
defects or problems.
Review your loan documents and closing costs.
You may be asked to provide additional documents that support your income, employment,
assets or credit. Closing costs may include attorney's fees, title insurance and property taxes.